Solenoid switch operating mechanism



sept. l1o, 1963 s. w. soos 3,103,564

SOLENOID SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 22. 1959 INVENTOR. 5ml/EN W 006 ArroQ/YEYS Y between its operating positions.

UnitedStates Patent M 3,1%,564 SOLENOm SWITCH OPERATING MECHANESM Steven W. Soos, Breeksville, Ohio, assigner to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation or' Pennsylvanial Filed Oct. 22, 19'59,- Ser. No. 848,143 13 Claims. p {CL Zoll- 98) This invention relates to switch operating mechanisms andhas particular relation to mechanisms for operating 'switches such yas circuit breakers between two operating positions. p

According to the present invention a mechanism of improved construction is provided for operating a switch between a pair of` spaced operating positions. rlhe mechanism includes an operating member which is operv atively connected to an actuating element of a switch with the operating member mounted for movement between two positions to displace the actuating element The present invention is particularly applicabile to the operation of circuit breakers which are designed to have high current interrupting capacities. In such installations substantial forces must be applied to the circuit breaker actuating elements in order to effect operation* of the circuit breakers. ,f

In a further aspect of `the invention the operating member is yieldably connected to the actuating element in order to permit movement of the operating member relative to the actuating element when the actuating element is moved to one of its operating positions. arrangement minimizes the possibility of damage to the actuating element.

According to a preierred embodiment of the invention the operating member is in the formof a lever having a pair of spaced ends with one of the ends carrying yieldable means which is `adapted for engagement with the actuating element ofthe circuit breaker. The yieldable means is arranged to carry the actuating element between its operating positions in response -to movement of fthe operating member or lever between its twopositions. The operatingrmember ispreferably pivotally mounted between its ends for movement Iabout an axis. 1

To vmove the operating member in the preferred embodiment a pair of selectively energizable solenoids are preferably provided having displaceable plungers which are operatively connected to the lever alt its other end. When one or the other of the solenoidsis energized the operating member will be pivoted about its mounting axis to effect displacement of the switch actuating element. A spring is operatively connected to the` operating member and to a bracket or lever which is connected to the plungers lso that the lever is snapped into its operating positions after passing through'an intermediate neutral position in its path of travel.

The invention furtherV provides that the energized one of the solenoids isv automatically de-energized in response to movement of the' operating member toward one of its operating positions. kFor this purpose a solenoid control switch is provided which has a displaceable member which is displaceable 'to rie-energize the solenoids in response to movement of the operating member toward its operating positions subsequent to passage ot the operating member through its unstable neutral position. l

According to a further aspect of the invention, the circuit breaker and the associated breaker operating mechanism are employed in connection with an electrical motor to start and stop the motor. The arrangement is such that the breaker and its operating mechanism replace the conventional motor contactor.

Such

unstable,

35H35@ ?atented Sept. l0, 1963 2 vide a mechanism ot improved construction for operating a switch.

It is another object of the invention to provide a mechanism of improved construction for operating a circuit breaker having a high current interrupting capacity.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a mechanism for operating a switch including anoperating member which carries yieldable means to be connected to an actuating element of the switch for displacing the actuating element in response to movement of the operating member.'

It is still another object of the invention to provide an operating mechanism for operating a switch including an operating member having one end yieldably connected to an actuating element of the switch and another end operatively connected to plungers of a pair of solenoids which are energizable to effect movement of the operating member about an axis between its ends.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a switch operating mechanism of the character described which has a minimum number of parts, is of inexpensive construction and which is positivelin operation.

It is 'a still furthery object of the invention to employ la circuit breaker and an operating mechanism of the character described in combination with an electrical motor to start and stop the motor without the utilization of a conventional motor contactor.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the `following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which FIG. l is a view in front elevation of an operating mechanism constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a View in side `elevation of the mechanism of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of an electrical circuit employed in connection with the mechanism of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a view in section taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1 with parts removed.

The present invention is susceptible of various modifications and uses but is particularly useful as a start-andstop motor control.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention,v a mechanism is provided for operating a unitary circuit interrupter that may be a conventional circuit breaker or switch having a casing enclosing the contacts of the breaker and the operating mechanism 'therefor and an actuating element, lor handle, which extends outwardly of the casing and is adapted for actuation manually.

In accordance with the present invention, a mechanism is provided for throwing the handle or actuating element of the breaker and is constructed so that the space required It is therefore an object ofthe present invention to pro- I by the actuating element for the breaker is no greater than the space occupied by the breaker itself with the exception of the operating member which is positioned outwardly of the side of the breaker so as to engage the element. In other.words, the mechanism for operating the element of the conventional breaker or switch does not occupy a space which is any longer or wider than the space occupied by the conventional breaker and only eX- tends outwardly of the conventional breaker or switch a distance suiicient to accommodate the member for operating the breaker. This facilitates the assembly of the breaker operating mechanism into conventional panel or switchboards and the application lof the breaker to existing installations. I

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIG. l a switch operating mechanism constructed in accordance with the teachings of the presen-t invention. The

mechanism may be mounted on a suitable base l in Y association with a switch or circuit breaker 2, also secured to Vthe base 1, Vspaced horizontally from the operating mechanism. The operating mechanism is particularly advantageous whenA employed to operate la circuity breaker having a high current interrupting capacity.Y Y

extending exteriorly of the breaker housing and whichy isv connected tothe breaker mechanism to be displaceable in-vertical directions between two limit or operating positions wherein the breaker is respectively in open and closed Y conditions.

In order to effect displacement of the element 5, which isV conventionally a manually thrown element, the present finvention provides an operatingv mechanism which includes an operating member illustrated in the form of a lever 6`h'aving a first portion 7 which is of generally flat planar configuration connected to a central portion 8 Y which extends substantially transverse to the part 7 Iand t which has secured to its lower end, as viewed in FIG. 2, a flat portion 9 which lies in a plane spaced from and parallel to the plane of the part 7. The operating mem- Y ber or lever 6 may be formed of any suitable material andA Vis preferably constructed of a metallic material having substantial rigidity.

In order to permit connection of the operating member 6 to the actuating element 5 the left hand part 7 of the operating member is provided with an opening 10 which registers with. the element 5. Inaccordance with one feature of the present inventionthe operating member 6 Vis yieldably connected tothe actuating element 5. To

this end the invention provides yieldable means which is carried by the part 7 of the operating member and which is arranged to engage the element 5. As best shown in FIG. l, the yieldable means includes wire means preferably consisting of a pair of wire forms 11 of identical configuration. Each of the wire forms includes a central wire section 11a 4and a-"pair of terminal sections 11b. The yieldable connection is provided by associating a pair vof the forms 11 in reversed relationship such that 4the t 'central sections 11a extend along substantially parallel spacedaxes. The terminal sections 11b are connected to a pair of studs 11 which may be secured to the portion 7 "of the operating member 6 in any suitable manner. It is noted with reference to FIG. 1 that the spaced central sections 11a dene a passage 12.which is proportioned to receive the actuating element 5. `The opening' 10 of theV portion 7 is configured to have a dimension in the direction of spacing of thersections 11a which issomewhat greater than -such spacing, so that the element 5 may projectthrough the opening 10 without preventing engage- V- Y ment of the element 5 with the central sections 11a.v

In order to mount the operating member or lever 6 for movement to carry the element 5 between its operating positions the operating member is pivotally mounted for movement through a Yplane which is parallel to the direc- 'tion of spacing of the operating positions of the element 5. YTo this end the operating member 6 is pivotally Y' mountedV between its ends by a suitable pin 14, which vis secured to the part 7 of the operating member and which extends through an opening of a projection 15 formed on a side 16 of a bracket 17 which has a flat base portion 18 which is secured to the base 1 in any suitable manner. Washers 19 are positioned to surround the pin '14 and a cotter pin 20 may be provided to extend through an opening of the pin 14 to maintain the washers in position. t Y

The'operating member 6 is operatively connected to -a pair of solenoid devices described hereinafter by meansV comprising abracket or lever`21 of generally U-shaped configuration having a base portion 22 and a pair of spaced legs 23 projecting from the base portion in spaced Y to mount the lever 21 for pivotal movement Aabout the axis of thev pin 28.

The operating member 6 is actuatable with a snap-action between two operating positions by a suitable spring construction a-ssociated with the' lever 21 and the operating member 6. For this purpose the base 22 of the lever 21 t includes a restricted portion 29 to which is connected a terminal 30 of a helical spring 31 having its other terminal 32 extending through an opening 33 in the por-tion 9 of the operating member '6. The operating member 6 is provided additionally with a pair of communicating slots 34 and 34 located respectively in the partsYS and 9 of the operating member. It is noted that the spring 31 and falso one ofthe legs 23 of the lever 2,1 extend through the slot l34 and that the spring 31 is positioned within the Slot 34. As will presently appear, the described arrangement is elective to cause a Very rapid and positive movement of the lever to its operating positions.

As best shown in FIG. 2, the operating member 6 is supported in part by .a suitable roller 36 on the pivot pin ZS adjacent the lower one of the legs 23 of the leverY 21'. The portion 9 of the operating member 6 rests on the upper surface of the roller 36 and is movable thereover when the operating member is pivoted about the' axis of the pin 14.

In orderY to effect movementof the operating member i 6, the present invention provides a pair ofelectrically energizible solenoids 37 and 38 provided respectively with elect-roconductive windings 39 and 39. The Vsolenoids 37 and 38 may be of any suitable-construction and are provided respectively with plungers 40 and41 vwhich are displaceable along parallel axes in response the pin 28 toeffect movement of the terminal 30l of the spring 31 to cause a snapping movement of the operating member v6 about the axis of the pin 14.

j The solenoids may be energized in anysuitable manf ner such as by the operation of a suitable switch 42' In the present inshown diagrammatically in FIG. 3. vention a suitable control switch 43 isarranged for operation in response to movement of the operating member`6 to effect de-energization of Ythe energized one of the solenoids 37 orY38 The switchy 43 isarranged to be operated subsequent to passage of the'spring 31 through the longitudinal axis of the operating Imember 6 at which Vtime the operating member is snapped to its operating. f position by action of the spring 31 independently of Vener- Y gization of one of the solenoids. For this purpose the switch 43 is mounted by a vertically extending section 45 of a bracket 46' having spaced legs 47 which may be se- Y Y cured to the side 26 of the bracket 17.V The switch 43 includes a displaceable switch member 44 which is mounted in the-path of movement of heads of a pair of screws 48 and 49 secured respectively `to extensions 50 and 51 of a pair of tabs 52 and 53 which .are secured tothe part 8 of the lever. Itis observed that the member 44 will' be displaced between two operating positions by engagement of the member 44 with the heads yof thescrews 48 and 49 -as the lever is moved towards its operating positions. Y

In FIG. l, the operating member 6 is shown in one of its operating positions wherein the element 5 is in a position to eifect either the opening or closing of the circuit breaker V2. If it is desired to displace the element 5 from the position shown to operate the circuit breaker, the solenoid 37 is energized to accomplishv this. The switch 42' is actuated to the left as `viewed in FIG. 3 to effect energization of the winding 39 yof the solenoid 37 through the closed switch 43 from a suitable source of voltage represented by conductors L1 and LZ.

When the solenoid 37 `is energized its plunger 40 will be displaced downwardly, .asviewed in FIG. l, to move the pin 42 and the plunger 40 :also in a downward direction, with t-he result that the lever 21 will be kpivoted about the pin 28 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed Yin FIG. 1. As the spring 31 assumes a position wherein it has just crossed the axis of the length dimension of the operating member 6, the'portion 7 of the operating member will be quickly snapped in a clockwise direction and the element 5 will be moved upwardly by the wire forms 11 secured to the portion 7. At this time also the switch 43 is actuatedy by the lever to the right as viewed'in FIG. 3 to effect de-energization of the solenoid 37.

The wire form-s provide a yieldable connectio-n which is effective to first cause movement of the element S and lthen to permit movement of the portion 7 ofthe operating member relative -to the element 5 when thel element 5 arrives in a limit position. VThis `action minimizes the possibility of damage to the element 5 las it is moved into engagement with its spaced stop means 54 which are ordinarily in the form of edges of a part of the frame of the circuit breaker 2.

As stated hereinbefore, the circuit breaker and its op-v erating mechanism have particular advantages when used in combination with a motor to start and stop Ithe latter. In FIG. 1, the circuit breaker 2 is shown as connected to control a three-phase motor M and the solenoids 37, 38 are energizable to open and close lthe breaker 2 to start and stop the motor. When the described breaker and operating mechanism are used in combination with the motor, it is not necessary to employ the conventional motorV contacter. A motor contactor is an expensive item and, in addition to the contactor, a circuit breaker must be provided because of the limited current interrupting capacity of contactors. Conventionally, a contactor is rated to interrupt currents Vof magnitudes approximately 8 to 10 times greater than the normal load current to the motor. A circuit breaker, on the other hand, is designed to have an interrupting capacity of between 800 and 1,000 times normal load current. The current interrupting capacity of a breaker is then approximately 100 times greater than that of a contactor.

The present invention provides a circuit breaker which may be used to startV and stop a motor in place of a motor contacter. Thearrangement is such Vthat if the circuit breaker fails, a conventional circuit breaker may be purchased to replace the *onev that failed-and the cost of replacing such a breaker isl nominal. In fact, the

" breakers can be replaced several times without approaching :the initial cost of a motor contactor. The described breaker and operating mechanism provides the advantages of remote control and is, therefore, ideally suited vfor use in place of a motor'contactor Ito start and stop a motor.

`Although the invention has been described with reference to certain specific embodiments thereof, numerous modifications .are possible and it is desired to cover all modifications falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: Y

1. In combination, a unitary circuit interrupter comprising a casing, Ian operating handle extending from said casing and movable between two operating `positions to operate said circuit interrupter to open and close an electric circuit, a mechanism for operating saidcircuit interrupter comprising an operating member, means effecting a yieldable connection between said operating Amember and said operating handle, and means comprising a pair of solenoids and armature means operatively connected to said operating member and operable to move said operating member to thereby move said operatin-g handle to open and c-lose said electric circuit.

2. In combination, a unitary circuit interrupter comprising a casing, an operating handle extending from said casing and movable 4between two operating positions to operate said circuit interrupter t-o open and close an el-ectric circuit, a mechanism for operating said circuit interrupter comprising an operating member, means effecting a yieldable connection between said operati-ng member and said :operating handle, electric operating means comprising a pair of solenoid coils and armature means, and said armature means being movable in opposite directions upon alternate energizationof said solenoid coils to move said operating member to thereby move said operating handle between said two operating positions.

3. In combination, a unitary circuit interrupter comprising a casing, an operating handle extending from said casing and movable between two operating positions to operate said circuit interrupter to open and closean electric circuit, stop means positioned to engage said operating handle to limit movement of said operating handle at each of said two positions, a mechanism for operating said circuit interrupter comprising an operating member, means eiecting a yieldable connection between said operating member and said operating handle, means comprising a pair of solenoids and armature means operatively connected to said operating member and operable to move said operating member to thereby move s-aid operating handle to open and close said electric circuit, and said yieldable connection yielding to permit limited movementating member having spaced end portions with one of the end portions operatively connected to said element, means mounting` said member for movement through a plane about an axis between said end portions transverse to said plane and transverse to the direction of spacing of said operating positions, a lever having a pair of spaced end sections, means mounting the lever .at one of the end sections for movement about a secnoid axis spaced from and parallel to the iirst axis, a pair of selectively energizable solenoids eachhaving a plunger with the plungers operatively connected to said lever, said lever being movable about the second axis in vresponse to movement of said plungers, and resilient means having apair of terminals secured respectively to the other of said end portions and to the .other of said end sections.

5. A mechanism as Idefined in claim 4 wherein said first and second axes are included in a plane which passes through the approximate center of the path of movement of said actuating element, said tirst axis being located between `said second yaxis and said approximate center.

6. A mechanism as idetined in claim 4 in combination with control switch means operable to det-energize said solenoids, said control switch means Ihaving a displaceable member eiectivc when `displaced in each of two directions for 4de-energizing a separate one of said solenoids, said displaceable member being displaced in response to predetermined movement of said operating member to de-energize the solenoid which effects such -movement of the operating member.

7. A mechanism as detined in claim 4 wherein said actuating element. e

7 e 8. In combination, a unitary circuit interruptor comprising a casing, an actuating element extending from said casing and operable to operate said circuit-interrupter to open and close an electricrcircuit, an operating member operable Vto operate said yactuating element, a lever, an overcenter spring attached at one end to said Vlever Vand at the other end to said operating member, said 'overcenter spring being movable upon operation of said lever to thereby operate said operating member, electric operating means comprising la pair of solenoid coils, and armature means movable in opposite directions upon alternate energization ofsaid solenoid coils to `etect operation of 'said lever. f

V9. A mechanism for operating a circuit interrupter, said circuit interrupter having :an actuating element operable to eiect opening and closing of said interrupter, an operating :member operable to operate said actuating element, a lever, Ian overcenter-spring connecting said operating member Ito said lever, said overcent-er spring effectan electric circuit, said circuit breaker being constructed between said two positions, and switch means automatical- 1y operable during opening and closing operations to eliect to interrupt more than'five hundred times its normal load current, an operating member operatively connected to said actuating element, means mounting said operating y 'member for movement through a plane about van taxis extending normal to said plane and normal to the direction 'of spacing of said operating positions, overcenter spring means movable between tvvoovercenter positions to operate said operating member to alternately open and close said circuit breaker, solenoid'operating means mean-s between said two positions, .and switch means automaticallyoperable upon the occurrence of cach energized operation of said solenoid operating means to ldeenergize the solenoid operating means.

11. In combination, .a unitary:v circuit breaker having an interrupting capacity of at least five hundred times its normalidad current, said kcircuit vbreaker comprising a casing, an actuating element extending `from said casing successively energized to alternate said overcenter spring and movable between spaced operating positions to oper- Y Y ate said circuit breaker to open land closeean electric circuit, an operating member having spaced :endportions with one of ,saidV end'portions operatively connected to `said :actuating element, means mounting said operating member for movement through ia plane andabout lan axis disposed between said end portions, said vaxis lbeing disposed generally perpendicular to said plane and generally perpendicularV to the direction of spacing or said operating positions, overeen-ter spring'means operatively con-V nected to the other of said end portions of said operating 4'member and movable back-and-forth between twoy overcenterpositions to alternately open .and close said circuit breaker, lsolenoid operating meansy f'comprising la pair of solenoids, armature means operatively connectedto said Vove-reenter spring means, said 'armature means being movable in opposite directions upon alternate energizat-ion Vof said solenoids to alternate said overeen/ter spring means deenergization of the energized solenoid. v

12. In combination, a unitarycircuit breaker having,

lan interrupting capacity of at least rive hundred times its normal load current, s-aid circuit breaker comprising a casing, an actuating element yextending from said casing |and operable to operate said circuit breaker to open and close an electric circuit, an operating member operable to operate said actuating element, electric operating means operable to operate said operating member, said electric operating 4means comprising overcenter spring means operatively connected 'to said :operating member land movable back-and-forth between two overcenter po- 'sitions to alternately open fand close said circuit breaker,

solenoid means connected to said overcenter spring means and successively energized Ito alternate said overcenter spring means fbetvveen said two positions, switch means automatically operated during each energized operation of said solenoid means to deenergize said solenoid means,

land said electric operating means being mounted 'at the -side of said circuit breaker Iand having a length not su Istantially greater than the length of said circuit breaker and having a depth notsubstantially greater than the depth of said circuit breaker.

13. In combination, a unit-ary circuit breaker comprising a casing, an actuating elementextending from said casing jand operable to operate said circuit breaker to open Iand close lan electric circuit, said circuit breaker Vbeing constructed to interrupt Iat, least live hundred times its normal load current, an operating member operable to operate said actuating element, electric operating `means operable to operate said operating member Iand comprising 'overc-enter spring means movable back-and-tforth tbetween two overcenter'positions to alternately'Y open land Aclose -said circuit breaker, solenoid means successively energized to alternate said .overcenter spring means 'be- Y tween said .two overcenter positions, switch means automatically operated during each energized operation of said solenoid means to deener'gize said solenoid means, said electric operating means being mounted at the sid-e of said circuit intenupter, and said electric operating means having a length not substantially greater than the length oi said' circuit breaker 'and having sa width not substantially greater than the width of said circuit breaker land having a depth not substantially greater than the `depth of said circuit breaker. l

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1. IN COMBINATION, A UNITARY CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER COMPRISING A CASING, AN OPERATING HANDLE EXTENDING FROM SAID CASING AND MOVABLE BETWEEN TWO OPERATING POSITIONS TO OPERATE SAID CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER TO OPEN AND CLOSE AN ELECTRIC CIRCUIT, A MECHANISM FOR OPERATING SAID CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER COMPRISING AN OPERATING MEMBER, MEANS EFFECTING A YIELDABLE CONNECTION BETWEEN SAID OPERATING MEMBER AND SAID OPERATING HANDLE, AND MEANS COMPRISING A PAIR OF SOLENOIDS AND ARMATURE MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID OPERATING MEMBER AND OPERABLE TO MOVE SAID OPERATING MEMBER TO THEREBY MOVE SAID OPERATING HANDLE TO OPEN AND CLOSE SAID ELECTRIC CIRCUIT. 